Skin microbiota differs between Black and White patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma

Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) disproportionately affects Black patients, who experience higher rates of sepsis and mortality. This study examines differences in the lesional and non-lesional skin microbiomes of Black and White CTCL patients using 16S rRNA and tuf gene sequencing. Results reveal distinct microbial compositions, with increased Staphylococcus aureus abundance in Black patients. Our team contributed by developing RStudio-based code to visualize and analyze microbiome sequencing data, facilitating clearer interpretation of microbial differences. These findings suggest microbial factors may contribute to racial disparities in CTCL outcomes, highlighting the need for targeted therapeutic interventions and further microbiome research.